{"id":165941,"date":"2022-12-03T15:17:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-03T07:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=165941"},"modified":"2022-12-29T17:10:36","modified_gmt":"2022-12-29T09:10:36","slug":"top-8-of-the-best-parametric-modeling-software-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/top-8-of-the-best-parametric-modeling-software-in-2022","title":{"rendered":"Top 8 of the Best Parametric Modeling Software in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3D modeling<\/a> software can be really useful for many different applications, especially when you need to use 3D printing. If you are looking for a method to design technical products, you will certainly have to use parametric modeling software. In this article, we are going to see what parametric modeling is and what the specificities of this process are. We will also talk about the differences between parametric modeling and direct modeling. Then, we will see what are the best parametric modeling software available on the market to create your projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is parametric modeling?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The specificities of parametric solutions<\/h3>\n

Parametric modeling can also be called parametric solid modeling. It is used to define a dimension\u2019s ability to change the shape of model\u2019s geometry immediately when the dimension value is modified. This modeling process is great for projects with a lot of manufacturing requirements and that need high accuracy such as mechanical projects.<\/a>\u00a0This modeling process is built from mathematical equations.<\/p>\n

It is a practical process if you need to produce products with little variations. Indeed, it is good to create designs that need to be modified on a regular basis. It will totally be adapted to your design intent.<\/p>\n

All the models created with this process have what we call features. These are attributes that include length, width, depth, orientation, geometry, material, density functions, etc. Parametric modeling is actually focusing on relationships between features, and between parts, assemblies and drawings.<\/p>\n

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Nathan Smith used computational parameters that help guide the design process of the Parametriks Print 001 TPU sneaker. Credit: Yanko Design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why you should use a parametric modeling software<\/h3>\n

These 3D programs are really great to see how the model directly changes when something is modified, and you can easily reuse the data of a\u00a03D model<\/a>\u00a0to create a new design. Parametric modeling software is a really good tool for manufacturing. Indeed, it can reduce your production time as it can easily be integrated inside of your manufacturing process.<\/p>\n

Be careful, you will have to be a little bit experienced if you want to use a parametric software. If you need some help, we have a blog post that will help you to deal with\u00a0design guidelines while working with a parametric modeling software<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This tool can be useful for many different industries, but parametric modeling is especially used in\u00a0mechanical engineering<\/a>. It is great to have parametric software if you have an\u00a0automotive<\/a>\u00a0project for example. It is also used for\u00a0architecture projects<\/a>,\u00a0aircraft design<\/a>, or even machinery. These CAD programs might be perfect for your rapid prototyping process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Parametric vs direct modeling: How to choose?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Parametric and direct<\/strong>\u00a0modeling are two different modeling techniques.\u00a0Direct modeling<\/strong>\u00a0doesn\u2019t create model features such as\u00a0parametric solutions<\/strong>. Indeed, direct modeling is used\u00a0frequently to make geometries, you can\u2019t work on the relationships between features, you can only modify the selected surface of your model. Direct modeling allows to manipulate your design more quickly, so it can be convenient at the beginning of the conception of a project. For more accuracy, technical specificities and better visualization of the project, parametric modeling software is a better solution.<\/p>\n

Some direct modeling software are also really useful for your geometric models, thanks to their various powerful tools, such as\u00a0Blender<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you are just starting to get to know the 3D world, Parametric Modeling can be very difficult. It takes many years to properly work with parametric modeling. However, direct modeling is easier to understand and learn.<\/p>\n

Parametric modeling is more complex as it is a mathematical and systematic approach to designing a 3D model. Direct modeling is in comparison more straightforward and it is easier to explore design variations and switch between different designs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What are the best parametric modeling software?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Here is a selection of the best\u00a0free\u00a0CAD software<\/a>\u00a0and paid ones to create your\u00a03D models<\/a>\u00a0using parametric modeling. Most of the time these software tools are not really addressed to home users, but more to professional 3D modeling designers or programmers. Let\u2019s see what are the 3D\u00a0CAD tools<\/a>\u00a0that you could use for your project.<\/p>\n

Solidworks<\/h3>\n

Solidworks\u00a0<\/a>is certainly one of the best software to work on mechanical parts. This parametric software is a professional tool, great for engineers and 3D designers.\u00a0Solidworks<\/a>\u00a0will help you to create efficient models, work on mechanical projects and advanced product designs.<\/p>\n

If you are planning to use additive manufacturing, don\u2019t forget to\u00a0check our tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with Solidworks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

CATIA<\/h3>\n

CATIA<\/a>\u00a0is a software developed by\u00a0Dassault Syst\u00e8mes<\/a>. It is not an easy software to use if you are not really experienced with 3D modeling. This CAD tool will allow you to work on parametric models and will be perfect for complex designs and projects.\u00a0Catia<\/a>\u00a0is addressed to professionals as it is a really complete software, with a wide range of advanced tools.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in using this parametric CAD software, you can check our\u00a0CATIA tutorial series<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FreeCAD<\/h3>\n

FreeCAD<\/a>\u00a0is a free parametric software. It is an\u00a0open-source 3D program<\/a>, with an intuitive interface, it can really suit beginners. This feature-based software can also be used by professionals for\u00a0architecture<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0mechanical engineering projects<\/a>\u00a0for example.<\/p>\n

We have\u00a0a tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with FreeCAD<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Freecadweb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Creo Parametric<\/h3>\n

If you need to work on\u00a0industrial<\/a>\u00a0designs, you can use\u00a0Creo Parametric<\/a>. This is a software developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation) allowing you to create complex 3D models and work on 2D or 3D complex surfaces, designs, or even model assembly. It will provide you a lot of efficient tools, adapted to a manufacturing environment. Industries such as the automotive industry are using this CAD software.<\/p>\n

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Credit: ptc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Siemens NX<\/h3>\n

Siemens NX<\/a>, formerly known as Unigrahics, is a software that will allow you to work on parametric and nonparametric models, and is able to provide your great engineering analysis. Siemens NX will be perfect for you to work on your product designs. It is made to create complex models that will be manufactured.<\/p>\n

If you want to know all the basics about this modeling software, watch the video below:<\/p>\n